More than half of patients subsequently underwent physical and cognitive function testing. Rilonacept recipients performed no better in tests of locomotion, dexterity, balance, strength, fatigue, or cognitive function. Endurance measured by the 400-meter walk test improved by 31 seconds in those receiving the drug versus 2 seconds in the placebo arm, but the difference was not statistically significant.

“Our study is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate changes in markers of CKD-MBD in response to direct inhibition of interleukin-1,” Dr Nowak, assistant professor in the division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, told Renal & Urology News. “The results indicate that in contrast with epidemiological evidence to date, which has suggested regulation of mineral metabolism by inflammation, direct inhibition of inflammation via the IL-1 trap rilonacept did not change any markers of mineral metabolism.”

Administering rilonacept earlier in CKD or for a longer period may have yielded different results, according to the investigators.